Dragon Scales Makes an Unexpected Comeback for Spring Semester
By Hannah Rouse (Chesterfield)
Dr. Joyner, the sponsor of Dragon Scales, delayed the beginning of the group due to the covid restrictions and the effect they would have on the group. “I had my doubts… early on about how we could pull it off effectively with masks without spreading Covid,” said Dr. Joyner.
Auditions for this year’s Dragon Scales group were held on Tuesday, January 25th, and members were announced shortly after. The Dragon Scales members for this year include: Molly Gilhool (Chesterfield), Peyton Plummer (Richmond), Cecilia Tesauro (Richmond), Sam Holliday (Chesterfield), AJ Tucker (Hopewell), Anthony Hernandez (Prince George), Charlie Bender (Chesterfield), Kevin Meza (Prince George), Angelo Galarza (Chesterfield), and Sebastion Tesauro (Richmond).
At the beginning of the school year, it was announced that the award winning A Capella group, known as Dragon Scales, would be postponed. Many students were looking forward to joining the group. Hernandez said, “[Before the start of the school year] I had looked up the group and became extremely inspired to sing and dance more.”
Dr. Joyner decided that Dragon Scales could use the same methods that the Vocal Music Department installed, such as wearing certain kinds of masks. Ensuring that everyone stays safe and the guidelines are followed. Dr. Joyner said, “[The Music Department] ended up having to just adapt… they managed to power through relatively effectively… [so] there would be no reason why [Dragon Scales] couldn’t do something similar.”
Despite some doubts in the beginning, Dragon Scales operates relatively the same as it did before Covid. “The only thing I can think of [that’s different] is we’re all wearing singing masks. But besides that, everything is pretty much the same as it would be [without Covid],” said Meza.
The restrictions and protocol of Covid have not had a huge effect on the rehearsals of Dragon Scales. “Right now we’re kinda at full strength,” Dr. Joyner said. “It really hasn’t affected anything yet.”
Hernandez stated, “I think that Covid has strengthened the group… Dragon Scales is stronger than ever and ready to return to performing.”